After farm loan waiverand hike in MSP, the Bhupesh Baghel government has started procedure to slash domestic electricity bills by half in Chhattisgarh. 

The residents are likely to get benefits to the reduction in powertariff before Lok Sabha elections, said a source. The Chhattisgarh State Power Distribution Company (CSPDCL) has already sent a proposal to Chhattisgarh State Electricity Regulatory Commission(CSERC) to set a new power tariff in the state. Once done, it will take three months to impose the new tariff. 

“The new tariff will be applicable from April 1, 2019.” To make up for the loss accrued by the power discoms, the government will offer the company subsidy — a move expected to cost the state treasury Rs 3,000 crore.

42.92 lakh consumers will benefit from this move, said an official, adding that the new rates will be declared after public hearings, wherein, claims and objections of the residents will be taken up and resolved. A spokesperson for CSPDCL said, “Loss to the power company would be fulfilled through subsidy from the state government. The reduced bill for domestic power consumers will put an additional burden of Rs 3,000 crore on the government treasury. CSPDCL has already moved a petition for new power tariff before CSERC.”

Chairman of CSERC DS Mishra told TOI, there is no proposal from state government to CSERC for reducing electricity bill of consumers. (The proposal will come through CSPDCL). “The decision to slash tariffs cannot be taken by CSERC, in such a case, government can pay subsidy to power company if such a decision is taken.”